Donna Mae Gutschow, 82, of Sheboygan, passed away Tuesday evening, September 21, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family. Donna was diagnosed with MS at the age of 19 but was in remission until recent health issues brought it back to the forefront.
Born December 9, 1938 in Sheboygan, Donna was a daughter of the late Anton and Cora Mueller Cesar. She attended Trinity Lutheran School and graduated from Sheboyan Central High School in 1957. On May 2, 1959, she was united in marriage to Robert L. Gutschow at Trinity Lutheran Church. They were married for 53 years before Bob preceded her in death on February 19, 2013.
Donna and Bob owned and operated Larry’s Distributing where she was instrumental in the early success of the business. She was an active member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church where she attended Bible study and loved to read to the children of St. Paul’s Lutheran School. She enjoyed bowling, tennis and golf leagues. Her and Bob spent many years traveling and golfing around the world. She was an avid sports fan who enjoyed cheering on the Packers, Brewers and Badgers.
Bob and Donna are very involved in the Sheboygan community and supported many youth and adult sporting activities. On their 35th anniversary, they started the Sheboygan County Children with Cancer Fund to provide financial assistance to families of children with cancer.
She is survived by her children, Pamela (Dennis) Decker, Sheboygan, Lisa (Michael) Crocker, Sheboygan, Todd (Amy) Gutschow, Kohler, and Tyson (Jennifer) Gutschow, Sheboygan; 14 grandchildren, Shaun Decker, Holly (Shawn) Lamb, Kyle (Caitlain) Decker, Ian Crocker, Tia (Harry) Sinclair-Kempf, Colin and Brynn Crocker, Kira, Casey, Elyse and Ryah Gutschow, and Tyra, Taylor and Spencer Gutschow; five great grandchildren, Cora and Harvey Lamb, Carly and Landen Decker, and Rafi Crocker Sinclair-Kempf.; her sister-in-law, Debbie Cesar, Sheboygan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She is further survived by special family friends, Jerry and Mary Pahl.
Besides her parents and husband, Bob, she was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth Cesar and her brother-in-law, James (Mary) Gutschow.
Funeral services for Donna will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 27, 2021 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1810 N. 13th Street, Sheboygan, Pastor Alan Kretschmar will officiate. Family and friends are welcome at the church on Monday from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Interment will take place Lutheran Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
A memorial fund has been established in her name which will be distributed to local charities.
The family would like to thank her caregivers through Comfort Keepers and Preceptor Hospice and Pastor Alan Kretschmar for all of their loving care and support.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Donna’s arrangements.
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